Apiti Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 35, 10 August 1893, Page 2

Apiti Notes

«- . [from our own correspondent.} It would seem as if the troubles of struggling settlers would never end, what with bad roads and the weather it is somewhat discouraging even to the most sanguine. Owing to the numerous slips, the traffic is almost entirely at a standstill. Sometimes as many as four, and always two, men have been employed since the rains set in, and yet they can hardly keep the road open. A great deal of this is caused by the contractor being allowed to widen his road by taking the batter off the side. Thus the ratepayers have to pay twice for the work. Another trouble of the pioneer settler is sheep worrying. Mr W. Spur way had several killed on last Saturday morning, some of the poor animals being torn in a terrible manner. Several other sheep owners have had losses in the same way. Now they intend to adopt the only remedy, which is to lay poison on their several sections, aud the owners of all dugs caught will be sued for damages. This will, perhaps, tend to put a stop to people keeping a lot of mongrel curs about their places, neither useful nor ornamental. There is to be a meeting of residents and settlers on Friday, the 25th instant, to try and get up a dairy factory ; but I am afraid it will be a failure, as the people are not prepared to go into it yet. There is a lot of work to be done here before we can go into such expensive luxuries with any chance of getting our money back. What strikes me as singular is that a boot and shoe maker has not started in here yet, as there is, in my opinion, a splendid opening for one who would attend to his business. Our population is increasing very fast, while all of the neighbouring country is being opened up and settled with a class of people who must go well shod. I hope the bridge over the Oroua will soon be finished. It is true nothing has been done yet, and we hear nothing on the subject, but the petition may have a good effect when presented,